Hakone

Our trip to Hakone was a success!! I actually managed a trip with all three boys on my own. Well it was an ITT trip, but I still did it!! We started off by meeting the bus at 5:30am and settled in for the three hour ride.

The boys on the bus.

Dylan being silly with his snack of Poxy sticks. Sign in the bathroom at the rest stop!!

According to our itinerary Hakone, lying at the foot of Mt. Fuji, covers an area of spectacular beauty forming the Fuji-Hakone National Park. Our first stop was at the Woods of Sculpture open-air museum. The pamphlet stated the following information. The museum opened in 1969 as the first open-air museum in Japan. Changing with the seasons, the grounds are permanent homes to approximately 120 works by well known modern and contemporary sculptors. The museum has 5 exhibition halls including the Picasso Pavilion, as well as a playground for children, a foot bath fed by a natural hot-spring , and a variety of other facilities where you can relax and enjoy the splendor of art in nature. I know that all we made it to was the children's area of the museum. Didn't go to the Picasso area or foot bath! I have to say our favorite spot was the Jenga looking building with the nets inside. It looked like a lot of fun. Made me wish I was a kid again so I could play!!















I loved this statue.




Dylan climbing on foam 'Art'

Ethan looking pretty cute! Dylan holding an inchworm.

This is the 'Jenga' building with the nets inside. Dylan had fun swinging on the drop down balls. Both boys climbed all the way to the top of this!
















Next stop was the cable car ride across the valley to Owakudani station. Owaku-dani, Valley of Greater Boiling, which was a crater of the former Hakone volcano. We stopped and had lunch here and also tried the famous black eggs that are supposed to add 7 extra years to your life per egg. Dylan gained 14 yrs by the way while Ethan and I only gained 7. We then took a boat ride from Togen-dai Peir, across Lake Ashi to Hakone-machi Pier.

The boys showing off their eggs. Cracking the eggs to eat em!!

Love this smile!!!! Group shot with Mt Fuji in the back!

Mt. Fuji of course!! The boys at the bottom of the shrine.

Our last stop took us to the Hakone Shrine. Many believe that the shrine, built in 757, brings good luck by offering protection from evil. According to our guide it is 80 steps to get up to the shrine! I can't believe this was our last stop!! I was so tired before I even attempted the steps!! It was really beautiful at the shrine. The trees were gorgeous and just huge! I also finally picked up my shrine book and I now have my first stamp!! I can't wait to get as many stamps as possible before I leave Japan. It really was a great trip and the boys did a great job!!

The 80 steps! The boys & Mason cleansing themselves before going to the shrine.

The red Torii gate at the top of the stairs(see how tall those trees are!)





The boys posing on the steps on the way back down.

Above Pictures

Our guide teaching the boys how to properly bow and show their respect at the shrine. The prayers and wishes at the shrine.

Below Pictures

The boys pretending to ring the bell. This was the halfway point on the way back down the stairs. Not sure what the building is used for. The other picture is of a building next to the shrine.
The last picture is Ayden sleeping on me in his sling!! He was knocked out!!!